BOOSTER SHOTS: Oddities, musings and news from the health world

Wal-Mart wants you to eat more healthfully, really. The superstore, joined by First Lady Michelle Obama, on Thursday unveiled a plan that in part will reduce sodium and sugar in processed foods it sells and reduce prices on fresh produce. But will the company's changes really improve the eating habits of the 140 million Americans that pass through its doors weekly?

Columnist Nicole Brochu at the South Florida Sun Sentinel says it's about time that companies such as Wal-Mart get the message that consumers want better food options. She writes:

"Americans everywhere, especially those on a budget, have the most to gain. Eating pre-packaged, pre-cooked foods has traditionally just been easier, and cheaper. Tipping the balance and making healthy foods more available and affordable on the shelves of a wildly popular chain like Wal-Mart will no doubt have a welcome impact on the nation's waistline. That's great news for children. And it sends an important message to the rest of the food industry to get onboard."

Wal-Mart's actions also gets a thumbs up from Michael F. Jacobson of the Center for Science in the Public Interest in this blog post. The eat-right blog Fooducate, however, suggests Wal-Mart take even bigger steps if it really wants America to shape up.